Optional operation control apparatus for monitor and control method thereof

Abstract

An improved optional operation control apparatus for a monitor and a control method thereof capable of controlling a function operation of an option card which is detected as being mounted therein after detecting whether a plurality of option cards are provided in the system, which includes a key input unit including a plurality of function keys; a microcomputer for judging whether a plurality of option cards are mounted in the system and for performing a corresponding function of an option card which is mounted therein in accordance with an input signal of the key input unit; a first and second switch unit, switched in accordance with a control of the microcomputer, for outputting a combined video signal outputted from an option card, of which its corresponding operation is performed, and a combined video signal inputted thereto through an external input terminal in accordance with a control of the microcomputer; and a signal processing unit for processing a combined video signal outputted from the first and second switch unit in accordance with a control of the microcomputer, outputting an audio signal to a speaker, and displaying a video signal on a color picture tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An operation control apparatus for a system including a monitor, comprising: key input means including a plurality of function keys;   a microcomputer for determining which of a plurality of option cards are mounted in the system and for performing corresponding functions associated with those option cards which have been determined to be mounted in the system in accordance with an input signal of said key input means;   first and second switch means, switched in accordance with control signals of said microcomputer, for outputting a combined video signal outputted from an option card, and a combined video signal inputted thereto through an external input terminal; and   signal processing means for processing combined video signal outputted from said first and second switch means in accordance with a control of the microcomputer, outputting an audio signal to a speaker, and displaying a video signal on a color picture tube.   
     
     
       2. An operation control method for a system including a monitor comprising: a first step which resets an error counter to "0";   a second step which outputs a signal having a certain level to a plurality of output terminals of a scanning key input means, outputs a signal having a certain level to an option terminal, and recognizes a level of a signal inputted to a plurality of input terminals, respectively;   a third step which outputs an inverted signal of the signal outputted from said option terminal of said second step, compares the level of a signal recognized by the second step, and judges whether an option card is provided in the system, based on a result of said comparison;   a fourth step which judges that the option card is not provided in the system when levels of the signals are different from each other as a result of the comparison of said third step and controls an operation of the monitor; and   a fifth step which judges that at least one option card is provided in the system when the levels of the signals are the same as a result of the comparison of the third step and controls an operation of the provided option card.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus for controlling an execution of a modular television capable of performing optional functions, comprising: a key input means including a plurality of function keys;   a plurality of option cards segregated and connected by user's choice according to respective functions thereof;   an interface unit for connecting the plurality of option cards with a modular television body;   a microcomputer for scanning a connection state of said interface unit at certain period automatically, determining whether any of said option cards are mounted, and controlling a general operation of the modular television based on said scanning; and   the modular television body including a display unit.   
     
     
       4. A method for controlling an execution of a modular television capable of performing optional functions, comprising the steps of: determining which one of a plurality of option cards is mounted in the modular television;   monitoring a proper function which is associated with a picture appliance when it is determined that there is no option card mounted; and   carrying out the function of said option card found to be mounted in the modular television when it is determined which kind of option card is mounted.   
     
     
       5. The method of claim 4, wherein in said determining step, a high level signal is outputted to a keyscan output terminal in a microcomputer used for said determining step, a low level signal is outputted to an option terminal of the microcomputer, and the mounting of a corresponding option card is verified when a signal read from a keyscan input terminal in the microcomputer is at a low level.